Naming the newest squirrel monkeys

Just before Christmas, the Foot Safari keepers welcomed three tiny additions to the Monkey Mayhem enclosure.

The latest babies took the overall number of the squirrel monkey troop to just short of 25, with the three youngsters born to mothers Bamboo, Tye, and Ringo.

Keepers asked for gender-neutral and plant-themed names when they turned to the public for their help in naming Bamboo's baby.

After carefully going through the suggestions that were sent in they decided on a name sent in by Richard Tyson, who won himself a family ticket AND £50 gift vouchers to the Park!

The team themselves named the other two arrivals and so, the trio of babies have now all been named…

Tye's baby has been named Jaffa

Ringo's baby has been named Jude

... And Bamboo's baby has been named Beansprout

Discover more about the Guianan squirrel monkey

The Guianan squirrel monkey is a species that was, up until very recently, known as the common squirrel monkey.

However thorough genetic research in 2009 showed that there are actually several completely separate species of squirrel monkeys. It prompted a re-evaluation and saw all of the ‘pure’ individuals, now known as the Guianan population, identified.

The Guianan squirrel monkey is IUCN red-listed as Least Concern, however with numerous wild threats including deforestation, increasing infrastructure fatalities (caused by roads and power lines), and the pet trade, their numbers are still sadly declining.

Having a genetically healthy European population acts as a reassurance that if the numbers continue to fall we have backup populations for future reintroduction projects.

All of this means that the arrival of this new trio, along with the three babies that were also born at the Park in 2020, is even more important as they help to secure the future of this incredible species as a whole.

Where to see the squirrel monkeys at Woburn

The squirrel monkey troop moved into their redeveloped home in the Foot Safari in 2020. Squirrel monkeys naturally spend most of their time high above the ground, so the new monkey enclosure features an expansive network of ropes, vantage points, platforms, and feeding devices to encourage this natural behaviour.

Visitors can enjoy watching them climbing, jumping, and showing off their acrobatic skills from the new viewing window.

Head to Monkey Mayhem (No.2 on your map) in the Foot Safari and see if you can spot the newest babies clinging to their mother's backs!